Modified jersey barrier foundation system

ABSTRACT

A foundation system utilizes conventional construction barriers, such as Jersey barriers, or the like, to form a foundation stem wall. Various modifications are made to the construction barriers to permit their use in both on frame and off frame construction. The foundation system of the present invention may also be used for conventional construction, including stud wall construction and block home construction. Generally, an on frame construction technique is used for modular or metal structures where the metal frame remains on the bottom of the walls. This permits, for example, the re-addition of a tongue, axles, wheels, and the like, to allow the building to be moved if desired. With off frame construction, the modular sections of the building are lifted off the frame and attached to, for example, a stem wall via connectors, straps, or the like.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication No. 62/207,833, filed Aug. 20, 2015, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to foundation systems and, moreparticularly, to a foundation system which makes use of Jersey barriersused in the construction industry.

Stem walls are supporting structures that are used as a means of joiningthe foundation of a building with the vertical walls constructed on thefoundation. The stem wall is often constructed with the use of concreteand steel, and works with or without the foundational slab to create asolid basis for the building. Along with establishing foundationalintegrity for the building, stem walls also aid in minimizing damage tothe materials used to create the vertical walls.

A Jersey barrier or Jersey wall is a modular concrete barrier typicallyemployed to separate lanes of traffic. It is designed to minimizevehicle damage in cases of incidental contact while still preventing thecrossover case of a head-on collision. Jersey barriers are also used toreroute traffic and protect pedestrians during highway construction. AJersey barrier is also known in the western United States as K-rail, aterm borrowed from the California Department of Transportationspecification for temporary concrete traffic barriers. A similarproduct, called the Ontario tall wall, is formed in a similar manner andused for a similar purpose as Jersey barriers.

Jersey barriers are made at various production facilities throughout thecountry and are readily available. Similarly, concrete blocks arereadily available. However, when building stem walls from concreteblocks, significant labor is required in lifting, placing, stacking,setting reinforcing rebar, filling, and the like.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system that can reduce the laborand time required for the formation of stem walls, and other similarstructures, in building construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a foundation system designed foron frame modular structures and conventional metal buildings comprises aplurality of construction barriers disposed to retain a structurethereupon; and a plurality of metal plates attached to a top portion ofat least a subset of the plurality of construction barriers, whereineach of the plurality of constructions barriers are formed as a singleunit from solid concrete.

In another aspect of the present invention, an off frame foundationsystem comprises a plurality of construction barriers disposed to retaina structure thereupon; and a plurality of tie down straps embedded intoand extending from a top portion of each of the plurality ofconstruction barriers, wherein each of the plurality of constructionsbarriers are formed as a single unit from solid concrete.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for building astem wall for a foundation of a structure comprises placing a pluralityof construction barriers so that a top surface of the constructionbarriers define at least an outer periphery of the structure; connectinga bottom member of the structure to the plurality of constructionbarriers via a plurality of interconnection members, wherein each of theplurality of constructions barriers are formed as a single unit fromsolid concrete, and the plurality of interconnection members include oneof a plurality of tie down straps extending from the top surface or aplurality of metal plates attached to the top surface.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of a foundation system member having a metal plateembedded into the member to permit an “on frame” modular or metalstructure to be welded to the plate to create a stem wall foundationsystem;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the foundation system member of FIG.1;

FIG. 3A is a top view of a foundation plan using the foundation systemmembers of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a side view of a portion of the foundation plan of FIG. 3A,with a structure attached thereto;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a foundation system member having tie downstraps embedded therein to permit an “off frame” modular or conventionalstem wall type foundation to be prepared;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the foundation system member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end view of the foundation system member of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7A is a foundation plan using the foundation system members of FIG.4; and

FIG. 7B is a side view of a portion of the foundation plan of FIG. 7A,with a structure attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of oneor more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms aswell as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by onehaving ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Itwill be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonlyused dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that isconsistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and thepresent disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number oftechniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefitand each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in somecases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sakeof clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possiblecombination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with theunderstanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope ofthe invention and the claims.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theinvention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specificembodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, many carefulconsiderations and compromises typically must be made when designing forthe optimal configuration of a commercial implementation of any system,and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. Acommercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings ofthe present invention may be configured according to the needs of theparticular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachingsrelated to any described embodiment of the present invention may besuitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improvedand/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skillsand known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation thataddresses the needs of the particular application.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a foundationsystem that utilizes conventional construction barriers, such as Jerseybarriers, or the like, to form a foundation stem wall. Variousmodifications are made to the construction barriers to permit their usein both on frame and off frame construction. The foundation system ofthe present invention may also be used for conventional construction,including stud wall construction and block home construction. Theconstruction barriers can be retired construction barriers, repurposedfor the uses described herewithin.

Generally, an on frame construction technique is used for modular ormetal structures where the metal frame remains on the bottom of thewalls. This permits, for example, the re-addition of a tongue, axles,wheels, and the like, to allow the building to be moved if desired. Withoff frame construction, the modular sections of the building are liftedoff the frame and attached to, for example, a stem wall via connectors,straps, or the like.

Embodiments of the present invention use construction barriers to createa solid and stable stem wall that can be used for both on frame and offframe construction. The use of such construction barriers can create astem wall in a single day with less labor required as compared toconventional concrete block stem wall construction. Moreover, becausethe construction barriers are often formed in lengths up to 12 feet, thenumber of components needed to create a stem wall is greatly reducedwhen compared to 16-inch long concrete blocks.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3B, in one embodiment of the presentinvention, a metal plate 12 can be embedded into a barrier 10 so an onframe modular or metal structure can be welded to the plate 12, creatinga stem wall foundation system 14. The metal plates 12 can be embeddedinto the barrier 10 by various methods. For example, one or more anchorbolts 16 can be secured into the barrier and the metal plate 12 can besecured to the anchor bolts 16. The anchor bolts 16 can be secured intothe barrier by various methods as may be known in the art. For example,the anchor bolts 16 may be placed into drilled holes and secured with anepoxy designed for such a purpose. In other embodiments, the anchorbolts 16 and/or the metal plate(s) 12 could be formed into the barrier10 during their initial casting.

Regardless of method of formation, the metal plate 12 can be positionedto be generally flush with a top surface 18 of the barrier. The metalplate 12 can be various sizes. One example is a 6-inch square metalplate, as shown in the drawings. However, the metal plate 12 can beother shapes and/or sizes, as may be desired or required by buildingcodes, for example.

The metal plates 12 can be formed at various locations of thefoundation. In some embodiments, each barrier 10 can include one or moremetal plates 12. In other embodiments, only certain barriers 10 willinclude one or more metal plates 12. Each metal plate 12 can provide anattachment point to attach the frame of the on frame modular structure(not shown) to the barrier 10. The number of barriers 10 used in thefoundation, the positioning of the barriers 10, and the like, may bedetermined by the structure to be attached to the barriers 10 as well asthe local building codes. In some embodiments, one or more spaces 20 maybe kept between barriers to create a crawl space under the building.

As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the corners 22 of the barriers may bemitered to a 45-degree angle to create corners. Of course, other miteredangles may be used depending on the desired shape. The corners 22 may beinterconnected in various manners. For example, a top plate 12 may beembedded across the corners to interconnect the two barriers 10 formingthe corner. In some embodiments, rebar (not shown) may be embedded intothe mating surfaces of the barriers 10 making up the corners 22. Otherinterconnection methods, as may be contemplated by one skilled in theart, are included within the scope of the present invention. In someembodiments, the corners 22 may be formed of barriers having the metalplate 12 at the corner 22, where the structure is attached (such as bywelding) to each of the metal plates 12 at the corner 22, effectivelyinterconnecting the corner barriers via the structure itself.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of a structure 32 attached to the barrier 10in an on frame construction. The structure 32 includes a frame 30 thatcan be bolted, welded, or the like, to metal plate 12. While FIG. 3Bshows the barrier 10 resting on the ground 34, in some embodiments, thebarrier 10 may be buried into the ground, may be placed on footers, orthe like, depending on local building codes, for example.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 7B, an off frame modular, conventionalstem wall type construction, or conventional frame with blockconstruction may be performed using the barrier foundation 40 shown. Thebarriers 42 would include a plurality of tie down straps 44 embeddedinto a top 46 of the barrier 42 to create a tie down system. Thebarriers 42 could be put in place and sections of the home can be cranedonto the foundation 40. The tie down straps 44 can them be bent straightup and nailed or screwed into the sill plate (not shown) which runsaround the circumference of the home. In some embodiments, the tie downstraps 44 may be designed to secure blocks to the barriers 42 so thatblocks may be built atop of the barriers 42.

The spacing of the tie downs 44 can vary, as may be required by localbuilding and wind codes. For example, the tie downs 44 may be spaced 12or 16 inches, on center. The tie downs 44 can be of various lengths,again depending on the building codes, engineering requirements, or thelike.

Similar to the metal plates 12 discussed above, the tie down straps 44may be embedded into or formed integrally with the barriers 42 byvarious techniques. In some embodiments, the tie down straps 44 mayextend from rebar 48 embedded in the barriers 42. A foundation 40 formedby the barriers 42 can be formed in various shapes and sizes. Additionalbarriers 42 may be provided centrally for added structural support asmay be needed. FIG. 7 shows one example of a foundation 40 using thebarrier system of the present invention. In some embodiments, thebarriers 10, 42 may be formed with an opening 50, as shown in FIG. 1. Ascreen or other such structure may be disposed in the opening 50 toallow for ventilation of a crawl space below a structure placed on thebarriers 10, 42. The opening 50 may be formed in various sizes andshapes, and are typically rectangular or square. To form the opening 50,the barriers 10, 42 may be cut as needed. In some embodiments, aninsert, such as a foam insert, may be placed in the barrier mold duringthe formation process. The insert is then removed when the concrete ofthe barrier is cured, leaving the opening 50 behind. The opening 50 maybe located at various locations depending on user needs, building code,and the like. In some embodiments, each barrier 10, 42 may include theopening 50. In other embodiments, only some of the barriers 10, 42 mayinclude the opening 50. In some embodiments, openings may be positionedwithin three feet of each corner 22 of a foundation.

FIG. 7B shows a side view of a structure 52 attached to the barrier 42in an off frame construction. The structure 52 includes a frame 50 thatcan be attached to the tie down straps 44. While FIG. 7B shows thebarrier 42 resting on the ground 54, in some embodiments, the barrier 42may be buried into the ground, may be placed on footers, or the like,depending on local building codes, for example.

While the above discussion refers to construction barriers, such asJersey barriers, the present invention is not limited to such structure.One embodiment of the present invention is drawn to the re-purposing ofsuch construction barriers for use in foundation and stem wall systems.However, other embodiments of the present invention may use similarconcrete structures that are formed specifically for the constructionindustry, such as those generally used in Department of Transportationprojects. The final product, regardless of source, will have a lengththat extends at least 10 feet, typically 12 feet long. Of course, thislength may be cut as needed, however, these lengths allow for simple andrapid stem wall formation without having to set block, as isconventionally performed.

The construction barriers may be formed for the purposes described aboveor may be repurposed for these uses from retired construction barriers.For example, one can repurpose retired barriers and drill out holes toadd the plates by welding rebar to the plates and filling the holes withindustrial epoxy then attaching the plate. This can be used for on framemodular, metal buildings. Alternatively, tie downs anchors typicallyused in off frame modular and convention frame construction can beattached in the same manor. Epoxy can be used to glue the rebar forconventional block and the rebar welded to the plate for metal and onframe modular. The same methods can be used to attach the tie downs(such as Simpson Stong-Tie® tie downs, for example) utilized in the offframe and conventional frame construction techniques.

While the Figures show particular shapes and relative sizes for thebarriers and modifications thereto, other dimensions are contemplatedwithin the scope of the present invention. For example, the height,width and shape of the barrier may vary according to need, applicationor the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foundation system designed for on frame modularstructures and conventional metal buildings comprising: a plurality ofconstruction barriers disposed to retain a structure thereupon; and aplurality of metal plates attached to a top portion of at least a subsetof the plurality of construction barriers, wherein each of the pluralityof constructions barriers are formed as a single unit from solidconcrete.
 2. The on frame foundation system of claim 1, wherein theplurality of metal plates include one or more anchor bolts embedded intothe plurality of construction barriers and attached to the metal plate.3. The on frame foundation system of claim 1, wherein a corner of thefoundation system is formed from two of the plurality of constructionbarriers cut at an angle, wherein a corner metal plate covers a jointformed by the two construction barriers.
 4. The on frame foundationsystem of claim 3, wherein the corner metal plate includes at least afirst anchor and a second anchor, where the first anchor is embeddedinto one of the two construction barriers and the second anchor isembedded into the other of the two construction barriers, wherein eachof the first and second anchors are attached to the corner metal plate.5. The on frame foundation system of claim 1, further comprising aventilation opening formed through at least one of the plurality ofconstruction barriers.
 6. An off frame foundation system comprising: aplurality of construction barriers disposed to retain a structurethereupon; and a plurality of tie down straps embedded into andextending from a top portion of each of the plurality of constructionbarriers, wherein each of the plurality of constructions barriers areformed as a single unit from solid concrete.
 7. The off frame foundationsystem of claim 6, wherein the plurality of tie down straps extend fromrebar extending longitudinally through each of the plurality ofconstruction barriers.
 8. The off frame foundation system of claim 6,further comprising a ventilation opening formed through at least one ofthe plurality of construction barriers.
 9. A method for building a stemwall for a foundation of a structure, comprising: placing a plurality ofconstruction barriers so that a top surface of the construction barriersdefines at least an outer periphery of the structure; connecting abottom member of the structure to the plurality of construction barriersvia a plurality of interconnection members, wherein each of theplurality of constructions barriers are formed as a single unit fromsolid concrete, and the plurality of interconnection members includesone of a plurality of tie down straps extending from the top surface ora plurality of metal plates attached to the top surface.
 10. The methodof claim 9, wherein the bottom member of the structure is a metal frameand the plurality of interconnection members are metal plates.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising attaching the metal plates to theplurality of construction barriers via one or more anchor bolts.
 12. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the bottom member of the structure is a frameof the structure and the plurality of interconnection members are tiedown straps.
 13. The method of claim 9, further comprising providingventilation under the structure via one or more openings formed in oneor more of the plurality of construction barriers.